This online genealogical diary is hosted by Barry T. Self. It is primarily for information pertaining to the SELF surname, more particularly for descendants of John J. and Lydia Avaline Waters Self, who were married in Union County, GA in 1851. Barry Self is the SELF proclaimed family genealogist and historian, having spent over 20 years researching this Self line. This diary is dedicated to preserving and sharing the findings of his research.

About Me

I am married to a wonderful and sweet wife, Svitlana, who is from Ukraine and we have a beautiful daughter, Lydia Elizabeth. I have worked in the funeral business since 1988 and thoroughly enjoy researching my family roots.

Sunday, August 14, 2005

DNA Testing... A Genealogical Revolution

"Stories have been passed down about the Self family for generations. We've all heard them. Stories such as, Old Robert (Roboham) Selfe came from England, settled in Virginia and started the Self family in America. His descendants followed southerly then westward migration patterns and spread the Self family throughout America. Alabama Selfs certainly were a part of this movement and many trace their lineage to Isaac Self, Sr. Isaac was born in Virginia and died in Alabama.

The stories continued for the Alabama Selfs. We heard our grandfathers were original settlers in the State, one gggrandfather was the largest land owner in the county, many Selfs fought and died in the WBTS, and another ggrandfather owned a community store and the first Bell telephone franchise in the county. Others were farmers, teachers, preachers, mechanics, soldiers (marines), and much more.

As a Self, I can't help but wonder how I fit in to all this? At the Self Gatherings everyone looked like relatives, but I wasn't sure how they were relatives. DNA testing will answer a lot of questions about the Self family. I'll admit that I was a little apprehensive about DNA testing, but confirming my relationship to the Self surname outweighed my apprehension.

DNA is an integral part of us and can confirm a lot of family stories. DNA can be a major factor in solidifying family relationships and to identifying all branches of the Self family. DNA testing can give us results that can be compared and help us find other profiles of our family that don't exactly match.

At the Chattanooga Self Gathering several individuals volunteered for DNA testing to identify their relation to the Self surname. As a result of those tests, we think we have identified the Self DNA and have discovered Self DNA from a different lineage. All of this is exciting nd confirms scientifically what individual research and documentation have indicated about the family for years.

My DNA tests have connected me to a Self lineage that goes back at least 500 years. This supports all the family stories, such as England, Virginia, Alabama, and can help us better understand the Self lineage of the Carolinas and Tennessee. Much of this has been documented, but additional work must be done to fill in the gaps. DNA tests have given me a new understanding of the Self family and helped me discover "genetic cousins" with the Self surname.

The Self DNA project is a "work in progress". I hope you will consider being part of it and help us identify the historic lineage of the Self family. The family project is intended to test males with the Self surname. The Y chromosome is passed from male-to-male and tests can establish the father-to-son lineage. The cost, $171.00, is small compared to the benefits. We want to connect with all our Self cousins and improve our understanding of the family. "